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[Review] Audio Technica CK100 - TitaniYUM~! - Page 3

post #31 of 166
1/7/10 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigDub View Post
I had auditioned the ck100, didn't find it engaging enough. I pretty much prefer the ortofon e-q7 over the ck100.
To my ears the e-Q7 sound excellent flat out of any source I tried. With some genres the CK100 sound even better when driven from my Cowon i9, especially with BBE. But out of my Fuze I find them disappointing, with lifeless vocals and classical piano that sounds more like cembalo than piano.

Bottom line: source can make a big difference with the CK100, more than with any of my other IEMs. The e-Q7 isn't picky about source and can keep up with the CK100 in almost all aspects.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Westone UM3x
post #32 of 166
1/7/10 at 12:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HONEYBOY View Post
Shigzeo, you do some excellent reviews but my experience with the CK100 is very different to yours. I also think they have some of the best quality treble around and I could honestly live with their bass but their mids are some of the most colored I've heard in an IEM. I was very shocked considering their price. I don't think these are good for vocals or instruments because I found their tone color to be unrealistic. They also have excellent clarity but their inaccuracy in timber hindered them from being the most transparent universal. In a nutshell I saw a phone with great potential but with short comings that were too blatant to be neglected. For folks making an investment in this IEM. I'd say proceed with caution. It might just be what you're looking for for but.......
This echoes my impressions with the CK100 and the Fuze. What was your source?
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post #33 of 166
1/7/10 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by james444 View Post
This echoes my impressions with the CK100 and the Fuze. What was your source?
I used X1060 and S730 and my impressions were consistent with both. I wonder how they would have paired with the touch 2G.
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post #34 of 166
1/7/10 at 3:06pm
Shigzeo,

After reading your excellent review, and while thinking to myself, "Wow! These sound like something I definitely want to look into" I went ahead and checked on pricing.

Ouch.

These seem quite pricey for a universal, teetering on the verge of some well spoken of customs. For the price difference, do you feel customs is the way to go or do you feel these universals allow you to get into the "custom" ball park while retaining (some) resale value?

Thanks.

'Dwebe
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post #35 of 166
1/7/10 at 4:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AudioDwebe View Post
Shigzeo,

After reading your excellent review, and while thinking to myself, "Wow! These sound like something I definitely want to look into" I went ahead and checked on pricing.

Ouch.

These seem quite pricey for a universal, teetering on the verge of some well spoken of customs. For the price difference, do you feel customs is the way to go or do you feel these universals allow you to get into the "custom" ball park while retaining (some) resale value?

Thanks.

'Dwebe
I agree, getting into JH5 territory.
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post #36 of 166
1/7/10 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Well, they are similarly priced to the UM3X and the SM2 from Earsonics if bought from Seyo.

As far as tonal accuracy - I won't pass judgements there as I found no problems. However, they are hard to drive like the SM2 and sound quite a bit differently from the HPO of a portable and from an amp. Their hot uppermid and lower treble will probably make you put your head on angle.

Again, presentation is not usual. But it is quite amazing after a while. As with any earphone, those who don't like them, will not like them. Those who do, will. But, they are extremely good earphones
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post #37 of 166
1/7/10 at 10:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HONEYBOY View Post
Shigzeo, you do some excellent reviews but my experience with the CK100 is very different to yours. I also think they have some of the best quality treble around and I could honestly live with their bass but their mids are some of the most colored I've heard in an IEM. I was very shocked considering their price. I don't think these are good for vocals or instruments because I found their tone color to be unrealistic. They also have excellent clarity but their inaccuracy in timber hindered them from being the most transparent universal. In a nutshell I saw a phone with great potential but with short comings that were too blatant to be neglected. For folks making an investment in this IEM. I'd say proceed with caution. It might just be what you're looking for for but.......
Hmm. How do these fit in the ear HONEYBOY? Are they shallow or deeper insertion?
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post #38 of 166
1/7/10 at 11:28pm
First of all, these can be had for $400 from some import sites. So judge them as $400 phones not $700. Secondly, the upper mids are very, very forward on these phones. I liked this presentation at first, but I find it annoying now.
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post #39 of 166
1/8/10 at 4:05am
^ No, I will judge the cost of these IEMs based on the price that I can purchase them locally from the authorised sellers where they sell for around $680. Comparable top-tier IEMs such as the SE530, TF10 and IE8 can be purchased for far less from the same authorised sellers. The CK100 is a very expensive universal IEM relative to its competition.
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post #40 of 166
1/8/10 at 4:59am
Thread Starter 
That is true to the same effect that Westone are extremely expensive here - much more so than the same Audio Technicas. In fact, buying a UM3x for 500$ or more doesn't seem quite worthwhile. Authorised resellers versus blood-sucking importers isn't really a debate. Having a real presence in a country is one thing, but importing from the head office is another.

If you buy from an online seller in Japan or Seyo for instance, you get the earphones at near their street price, but also get the guarantee which is honoured.
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post #41 of 166
1/8/10 at 9:55am
The UM3X, can also be bought locally here for much less than the CK100. However, it is carried by distributors that supply professional musicians rather than the general consumer market. Presumably, the CK100 is being marketed to the general consumer as well.
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post #42 of 166
1/8/10 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iponderous View Post
Hmm. How do these fit in the ear HONEYBOY? Are they shallow or deeper insertion?
The miniature nature and ergonomics of the housing allows for a deeper insertion. I must say they have a very secure and comfortable fit.
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post #43 of 166
1/8/10 at 10:49am
^ Thanks HONEYBOY. Do you recall how the instrument separation, detail retrieval and soundstage compared to the TF10 and the IE8?
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post #44 of 166
1/8/10 at 12:02pm
Hey Shigzeo,

I just read your CK10 review (another fine one, BTW) and it sounds like you really used and almost abused those canalphones and they kept on going, like the Energizer bunny. I realize that you mentioned the build quality of the CK100's, however, do you think they would withstand that sort of use, where you really don't have to worry 'bout them at all?

Thanks.

'Dwebe
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post #45 of 166
1/8/10 at 12:10pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I would always 'worry' about an almost 400$ earphone, but the CK100 are even more robust than the CK10. The difference of course, is that they cost almost double the price and are slightly bigger. But they use the same cable and have a much better plug. They also have better anchoring to the earphone unit. The CK10 is my favourite overall for sound (probably because it is nigh on neutral), but the CK100 is not far behind. I am not a big vocal and jazz listener, so atmosphere isn't as important to me.

But, among all 300-400$ earphones on the market, the CK100 represents the best value since it sounds good and is built to withstand years of use. Still, I would not go out of the way trying to crack the hard plastic and titanium casing. Nor would I through it around. The CK10 carrying case is much better. Neither of mine came with a wax loop
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Westone UM3x
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